IPl 2025: Virat's 51 was as crucial as those slog overs by Bhuvi, says Chawla

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Former India spinner Piyush Chawla credited Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

The win also kept RCB's unbeaten away record in the season intact and placed them third in the points table.

Bhuvneshwar's 3-33 and Josh Hazlewood's 2-36 restricted Delhi Capitals to 162/8 in 20 overs, with KL Rahul (41) and Tristan Stubbs (34) contributing the most for the home side.

In reply, Kohli and Krunal stitched a match-setting 119-run partnership after losing three wickets at the score of 26. Kohli contributed 51 runs while Krunal remained unbeaten for 73, laced with four sixes and five fours, to take the side over the line with nine balls to spare.

“RCB is playing fantastic cricket, and you have to give credit to the team. Because you talk about their bowling and batting, we saw what Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) is capable of with the old ball as well. Those two overs were very crucial, picking those crucial wickets. And when it comes to chasing on a tricky surface, you have to credit Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya - the way they staged that partnership.

"At one point in time, they were so much under pressure, but they kept taking it deep. Especially Krunal Pandya - taking those calculated risks and playing those big shots when needed, and he made sure that the required run rate stayed under control. So, the team is looking fantastic, and the way they're playing, everything is contributing to the cause, and that's why they're winning everything away from home," Chawla said on JioHotstar.

The veteran spinner said Kohli's contribution was vital for the RCB as he played according to the demand of the game.

"No matter how Virat has scored his 50 runs, what's important is getting those crucial two points in the points table. RCB wanted somebody to anchor the innings - the score wasn’t that big - and especially after losing three wickets, you need someone to anchor and not lose too many wickets from one end, so the others can revolve around you.

"That’s exactly what Virat has done. Those 51 runs were as crucial as those slog overs by Bhuvi. Virat calculates those 160–170 chases so well and gives the team a great platform to chase," Chawla said.

"Krunal is somebody who plays spinners well, and that's why he becomes more dangerous in that middle phase. It was a difficult wicket to bat on - even Virat mentioned that it was a tricky surface - and that's why you have to give a lot of credit to Krunal. The way he batted, took responsibility, and took calculated chances — it really paid off. First, he took those 30-odd balls to settle in, and after that, the way he accelerated was just fantastic," he added.

Chawla on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s death bowling said, “If you see the way Bhuvi bowled those last overs, he didn’t give any pace. He used that old ball to very good effect, making sure he’s not giving away too many runs - those two overs, where he just conceded eight runs, were crucial. Imagine if he had given away around 20-22 runs, chasing 180+ would have been a huge difference. You will not see that aggressive fast bowling from Bhuvi, but he made sure he’s doing the job for the team whenever he plays.”

--IANS

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